iCloud makes backing up an iPhone straightforward, but it is not the safest option for anyone about to install an Apple public beta. iCloud backs up automatically, which means it will gradually replace older snapshots with backups made after the beta is installed. If you later need to return to a stable iOS release, those newer beta-era backups are incompatible and cannot be restored to the older operating system.
Instead, the reliable approach is to create an encrypted local backup on a Mac or Windows PC before you begin the beta installation. Connect the iPhone with a cable, authorize the trusted connection by entering the device passcode when prompted, and then open the General tab for your phone in Finder on macOS or in the Apple Devices app on Windows.
Select the option to back up all data to the computer, turn on encryption so that saved passwords, Apple Health records, and Wi-Fi settings are included, and set a password you will remember. Start the backup, wait for it to finish, then open Manage Backups, right-click the most recent backup, and choose Archive.
Archiving pins that specific backup in place, so subsequent backups will not overwrite it. The archived copy remains fully compatible with the current iOS version and can be restored if you decide to downgrade after testing the beta.
I learned this the hard way after my last beta experiment went wrong. Always archive that backup!
Why does Apple make this so non-obvious? iCloud should warn users about the version mismatch risk.
Does archiving actually prevent the newer backup from overwriting it, or is that just what they say?
I still use iTunes on Windows. Glad to know the Apple Devices app handles this modern workflow now.
Health data and passwords are critical. Encryption isn’t optional here, people. Read the article properly.